Consumerism and technology are constantly trying to convince us of the self-evident absurdity that we can "have it all": true love without effort or commitment, overeating without gaining weight, drug use without consequences. Most people's "busyness" today can be attributed to the never-ending pursuit of this elusive goal.

The founder of this newspaper, a truly "busy" woman, once said, "Rushing around smartly is no proof of accomplishing much." A slower, more contemplative existence might show us the merits of quality over quantity. Then we might realize that, in a material sense, we not only can't have it all, we really don't want it!

Mr. Yemma's column about freedom and self-control and the cover story, "Heroin's new neighborhoods," bring attention to the "paucity of spirituality" and spiritual control in our YOLO ("you only live once") society. One woman quoted in the cover story says that getting high made her feel like "the person she wanted to be," revealing the void of spiritual well-being all kinds of addictions attempt to fill. Plaudits to the Monitor for calling out the shifts in thought so needed to help resolve this and other problems.

Steven Price

San Rafael, Calif.

Hypocrisy on Putin's Ukraine move

Regarding the April 7 cover story, "How far will he go?," on Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggressive moves in Ukraine: If, to protect itself from potential threats, the United States can justify invading countries near the Russian sphere of influence, how can the US deny Russia the same justification when it comes to a country it borders?

There is, of course, little justification in either claim. But the Monitor's coverage (and that of other media outlets) seems to suggest that what's good for the goose is not good for the gander.